A qualitative interview exploration of experiences and beliefs around risky health behaviours in a paediatric and an adult cystic fibrosis population

Keyte, Rebecca (2017) A qualitative interview exploration of experiences and beliefs around risky health behaviours in a paediatric and an adult cystic fibrosis population. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and illicit drug use are prevalent within the Cystic Fibrosis population, with these behaviours having adverse health effects upon patients regardless of their treatment adherence. Previous quantitative research highlighting the incidence, prevalence and effects of these behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population demonstrates the need for more effective health promotion measures to be integrated into Cystic Fibrosis care. Therefore, attempting to reduce occurring risky health behaviours specifically within the Cystic Fibrosis population, this doctoral research aimed to identify influential factors associated with these behaviours. This research utilised qualitative methods to explore beliefs associated with risky health behaviours within the adult Cystic Fibrosis population. This first phase of data collection was followed by another qualitative study exploring Cystic Fibrosis adolescents' understanding of, and beliefs about risky health behaviours. Both phases of data collection highlight that a desire to be normal, acceptance of Cystic Fibrosis and awareness of risks are influential in initiation and engagement of risky health behaviours. Both adult and paediatric participants reported a lack of awareness regarding adverse health effects of risky behaviours, demonstrating the need for more effective health promotion and encouragement of healthier lifestyles. Accordingly, to create a corresponding intervention, the researcher has listened to how Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Nurses perceive the issue of risky health behaviours within the population, along with gaining Cystic Fibrosis health care professionals' views on what interventions are needed to reduce the occurrence of such behaviours. The researcher presently plans to collaborate with health care professionals to design an intervention, which would consist of continuous professional development for health care professionals to improve awareness on risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population, and would inform patients regarding the Cystic Fibrosis-specific adverse effects of risky health behaviours via interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarship between psychology and technology. Overall this research has provided practical insight into policy change for the prevention and reduction of risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population nationally and internationally by informing current advice and practice.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Additional Information: My greatest thank you goes most certainly to my Director of Studies, Dr Helen Egan, for always having faith in me, and always believing in me right from the very beginning when I was an undergraduate student. Helen has always allowed me to pursue my research in the direction that I wished it to follow, providing me with the opportunity to study at doctoral level, and always expecting me to succeed. I will be eternally grateful for the time and effort Helen, along with my other supervisors, Dr Michail Mantzios and Prof. Craig Jackson have invested into developing this research project, and supporting me throughout; I certainly could not have wished for a better supervisory team, you have all made this journey an extremely enjoyable one! I also owe a huge thank you to all the individuals who took their time to participate in my research, patients and health care professionals alike; and also to the staff at the Cystic Fibrosis Units at both Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and the Royal Stoke University Hospital, who have made it a pleasure to conduct my research. I would also like to thank my fellow PhD Candidates at Birmingham City University with whom I have shared this journey, particularly Shannon Ludgate who has been there alongside me every step of the way, providing both laughter and encouragement. I also wish to thank my friends from outside University, who have supported me, and shown a genuine interest within my research, always believing that I will succeed. You have all been a welcomed distraction to my PhD at times, allowing me to "let my hair down!" In particular I wish to thank Sarah Jackson and Katie Dyer, you have both always had faith in me and encouraged me to never give up, your friendship and advice was greatly appreciated. Finally, my biggest acknowledgment has to go to my family. I would like to thank my parents, Jill and Paul Keyte, who have supported me in every possible way, and have always put me first. You certainly are my biggest fans, always providing me with love and encouragement and never doubting that I would succeed. I would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to my husband and best friend Ryan Keyte-Wilcock, your cooking and cleaning skills will never be forgotten when the workload was getting too much; thank you for your love, encouragement, endless cups of tea, and for always believing in me. You have all managed to make me laugh and smile even at my most stressed. Making you all proud of my achievements has made this journey even more worthwhile!
Dates:
DateEvent
13 October 2017Completed
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cystic Fibrosis, risky health behaviours, adult paediatric, qualitative, health professional education
Subjects: CAH01 - medicine and dentistry > CAH01-01 - medicine and dentistry > CAH01-01-01 - medical sciences (non-specific)
Divisions: Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection
Depositing User: Kip Darling
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2019 15:03
Last Modified: 12 Jan 2022 11:13
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7197

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